. 
. 
i3 Breather by L3 Harris
L3Harris is an agile global aerospace and defense technology innovator that delivers solutions to meet customers’ mission-critical needs. When a team of L3Harris engineers learned about an impossible challenge to build a low-cost ventilator out of readily-available parts, it responded swiftly to respond to an urgent need.
The team recruited support from both inside and outside the company to try and develop a solution for ventilator availability and critical care requirements around the world. The team developed the Innovative Inspiratory Ideas (i3) Breather after a five-day agile sprint design process modified for social distancing and remote participation, and delivered a prototype in three weeks.
“I am extremely proud and inspired by the i3 Breather team’s ability to develop a life-saving solution for a critical public health need in just three weeks,” said Sean Stackley, President, Integrated Mission Systems, L3Harris. “The result showcases their agility and innovative spirit and highlights the power of a government and industry partnership to combat a global crisis such as COVID-19.”
The i3 Breather was designed to be assembled and operated by personnel using easily producible and widely available parts.
Characteristics
- Availability of Parts: Use parts which are readily accessible or easily built/modified and avoids using typical medical parts such as AMBU bags which may be in short supply.
- Simplicity: Seeks a minimalist approach for both assembly and operational simplicity.
- Flexibility: As innovations allow, individual components can be modified/improved/supplemented in a modular approach to allow for even increased functionality.
Specifications
| Patient Ventilation | Supports Fully ventilate chemically paralyzed patient to assist healing including pressure support to help patient successfully fully recover |
| Ease of Operation | Able to be assembled and operated by low-skill levels, assembly instructions provided |
| Multiple Operation Modes | VC-AC, PC-AC, Pressure Support modes |
| Respiratory Rate | 8 to 50 breaths per minute |
| Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) | Adjustable from 0 to 25 cm H2O. System includes manually adjustable PEEP valve with pressure sensor monitoring |
| Tidal Volume | Adult Tidal Volume:100 cc to 1000 cc |
| Inspiration / Expiration Ratio | Adjustable from 1:1 to 1:4 |
| Oxygen Delivery | Takes external oxygen delivery at 15 l/min, provides delivery to patient at FiO2 levels from Ambient to 100% |
| Over – Pressure Safety | Capable of limiting the Peak Inspiratory Pressure to 30-50 cm H2O using manually adjustable pressure relief valve |
| Humidification | Incoming Oxygen is humidified using a water bubbler |
| Air Pathway | Replaceable 22 mm patient air pathway |
| Failure Alarm | Variety triggers than can produce visual and audible indications for clinicians |
| Power Requirements | Uses standard wall power 120VAC 60Hz, with an additional battery backup system for short term continued operation |
